5.7.2: Gantt Chart
Once we have identified the project tasks and their dependencies, we can create a Gantt chart.
A Gantt chart is a type of bar chart, developed by Henry Gantt, that illustrates a project schedule. Gantt charts are easy to read and are commonly used to display scheduled activities. These charts display the start and finish dates of project activities. Gantt charts also show the dependency relationships (i.e., precedence network) between activities.
Gantt charts show all the key stages of a project and their duration as a bar chart, with the time scale across the top. The key stages are placed on the bar chart in sequence, starting in the top left corner and ending in the bottom right corner. A Gantt chart can be drawn quickly and easily and is often the first tool a project manager uses to provide a rough estimate of the time that it will take to complete the key tasks. The detailed Gantt chart is usually constructed after all WBS activities are identified, an activity list is created, activity durations are estimated, and predecessors are determined.
Source: Project Management by Abdullah Oguz is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.
Example: A Wedding Case Study (Gantt chart)
To create a Gantt chart for the provided Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), we can break down the tasks with their dependencies and estimated durations. Let's assume the following durations and dependencies:
WBS Breakdown:
1.0 Invitations
- 1.1 Create guest list : 3 days
- 1.2 Print the invitations : 2 days (depends on 1.1)
- 1.3 Mail the invitations : 1 day (depends on 1.2)
- 1.4 Wait for RSVPs : 14 days (depends on 1.3)
2.0 Food
- 2.1 Find caterer : 5 days
- 2.2 Finalize menu : 3 days (depends on 2.1)
- 2.3 Cater wedding : 1 day (depends on 2.2 and 1.4)
3.0 Bridal
- 3.1 Shop for dress : 4 days
- 3.2 Shop for shoes : 2 days (can be done concurrently with 3.1)
- 3.3 Choose bouquet : 1 day
- 3.4 Tailoring and fitting : 5 days (depends on 3.1)
Dependencies:
- 1.2 depends on 1.1
- 1.3 depends on 1.2
- 1.4 depends on 1.3
- 2.2 depends on 2.1
- 2.3 depends on 2.2 and 1.4
- 3.4 depends on 3.1
Here's the Gantt chart for the wedding planning tasks based on the provided Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). Each bar represents the duration of a task, with dependencies reflected in the sequence of tasks. This chart helps visualize when each task starts, how long it takes, and how tasks overlap.
Source: "Create a Gantt chart for the following WBS" prompt for A Wedding Case Study (WBS). ChatGPT , GPT-4 version, OpenAI, 31 Aug. 2024, chatgpt.com.